Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

Welterweight

Welterweight

GSP made good on his well-publicized promise to put a beating on
Nick Diaz at UFC 158, neutralizing the Californian’s boxing with
relentless takedowns, top control and ground-and-pound across 25
minutes. St. Pierre’s next UFC title defense will be against
brick-fisted wrestler Johny Hendricks at UFC 167.

Hendricks never could put away the notoriously durable Carlos
Condit during their 15-minute encounter at UFC 158, but the former
Oklahoma State University wrestling stud landed more than enough of
his trademark left hands to secure a unanimous decision. Next,
Hendricks will get his desired title shot against Georges St.
Pierre in the fall.

Condit had a disappointing Octagon debut, falling to Martin
Kampmann via split decision at UFC Fight Night 18 in 2009. More
than four years later, “The Natural Born Killer” gets his
opportunity for revenge against the Dane at the UFC’s second Fox
Sports 1 event on Aug. 28.

Since failing in his attempt to wrest the welterweight strap from
Georges St. Pierre at UFC 158, Diaz has elected to try his hand as
an MMA promoter. His first event, War MMA 1, took place on June 22
in Stockton, Calif., and received mostly positive reviews. There is
no hint as to whether the Cesar Gracie understudy will emerge from
retirement to compete in the Octagon again, however.

Suffice it to say that Maia could be a problem for the rest of the
welterweight division. The former middleweight standout is now 3-0
at 170 pounds after running a grappling clinic on perennial top 10
entrant Jon Fitch en route to a unanimous decision at UFC 156. Maia
was supposed to face another decorated wrestler in Josh Koscheck at
UFC 163, but an injury to “Kos” nixed that showdown. Although
nothing is official, a matchup with Jake Shields is rumored to go
down sometime in 2013.

After 12 months spent clawing his way into contention with three
straight wins over quality welterweights, Kampmann’s title hopes
were dashed in less than a minute by the heavy left hand of Johny
Hendricks at UFC 154. The Danish “Hitman” looks to get back into
the win column -- and go 2-for-2 against Carlos Condit in the
process -- at UFC on Fox Sports 1 in Indianapolis on Aug. 28.

MacDonald’s technical-yet-safe performance against Jake Ellenberger
at UFC on Fox 8 probably didn’t win him many new fans, but it was
undeniably effective. The Tristar Gym product kept Ellenberger at a
safe distance with his jab for the majority of three rounds to earn
a unanimous decision victory. “Ares” has now won five straight
inside the Octagon, with his last loss coming at the hands of
Carlos Condit at UFC 115.

Askren’s style may never please everyone, but the “Funky” proved
once again at Bellator 97 that few opponents can handle his
wrestling, as he overwhelmed Andrey Koreshkov en route to a
fourth-round stoppage. Despite it being Akren’s second consecutive
TKO win inside the promotion, the welterweight champion’s
performance still drew its share of boos. Askren will likely face
the winner of Ben Saunders-Douglas Lima, which takes place at
Bellator 100 in September.

Ellenberger talked a good game in the weeks leading up to his UFC
on Fox 8 showdown with Rory MacDonald, but come fight night, the
Nebraskan’s ominous promises of violence never materialized. Stuck
on the end of the talented Canadian’s jab, “The Juggernaut”
struggled to unleash his renowned knockout power, landing just 19
significant strikes in dropping a disappointing unanimous verdict.
With losses in two of his last four bouts, Ellenberger has some
work to do if he is to return to contender status.

Burkman has been on a roll since parting ways with the UFC after a
loss to Pete Sell in
2008. The Pit Elevated Fight Team product has won eight of his last
nine bouts -- and he seems to be getting better with age. “The
People’s Warrior” has knocked off UFC veterans Gerald Harris, Aaron
Simpson and Jon Fitch in three World Series of Fighting
appearances, polishing off Simpson and Fitch in a combined
3:45.